Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Watch HRE make one of its Vintage Series wheels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/14/watch-hre-make-one-of-its-vintage-series-wheels/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/14/watch-hre-make-one-of-its-vintage-series-wheels/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/14/watch-hre-make-one-of-its-vintage-series-wheels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

HRE Wheel

We're smitten with the Vintage Series three-piece wheels from HRE. The hardware is about as cool as it gets in our opinion, and you can bet we'd rock a set if we had a vehicle worthy of the rollers. If you've ever wondered how the company goes about putting the wheels together, you're in luck. HRE and StanceWorks have collaborated on a video documenting the ins and outs of crafting "investment grade" wheels.

The manufacturing process is set to a suitably epic soundtrack, and the high-def images of aluminum being milled from soulless blocks to three-piece glory are mesmerizing. Take a second to hit the jump and check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading Watch HRE make one of its Vintage Series wheels

Watch HRE make one of its Vintage Series wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alloy wheelhrehre vintage series wheelshre wheelsstanceworksvideovintage serieswheelsTue, 14 Feb 2012 15:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20169053/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/14/watch-hre-make-one-of-its-vintage-series-wheels/20169053/article-detail.xml 20169053 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/hre-vintage-series-wheels-video_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/hre-vintage-series-wheels-video.jpg <![CDATA[Alcoa developing lighter wheels for increased efficiency]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/alcoa-developing-lighter-wheels-for-increased-efficiency/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/alcoa-developing-lighter-wheels-for-increased-efficiency/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/alcoa-developing-lighter-wheels-for-increased-efficiency/#commentsFiled under: ,

Heavy steel wheels are relatively rare in showrooms these days -- it seems they are heading the way of bias-ply tires. Most new cars are delivered with cast aluminum wheels. While cast wheels weigh less than comparative steel wheels, they are still manufactured with thick castings and solid spokes (forged aluminum wheels, both lighter and stronger, are generally more expensive and as such, fitted largely to performance vehicles).

Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products, one of the world's largest aluminum suppliers, is determined to reinvent the wheel in an effort to save fuel and lower emissions. The company is tackling this issue by designing wheels manufactured with higher strength aircraft-quality aluminum. The alloy is 20 percent stronger than the current wheel material, so wheels can be made thinner and with hollow spokes.

Alcoa recently displayed two 20-inch wheels for comparison: A Chrysler OEM aluminum wheel weighed 35.5 pounds, while the Alcoa alloy wheel weighed just 27.7 pounds. The benefits are obvious, and Alcoa is quick to point out that the weight savings are a simple bolt-on solution -- they don't require expensive engineering at the design level to seek weight-savings. Educating the public that lightweight wheels aren't just for high-performance vehicles, the aluminum manufacturer says that the reduced unsprung mass benefits hybrid and electric vehicles by extending their range and increasing their efficiency... and lest we forget, Alcoa is the OEM wheel supplier to the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Alcoa developing lighter wheels for increased efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alcoaalloy wheelAlloyWheelAluminum wheelsAluminumWheelslightweightWheelsTue, 17 Mar 2009 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1488920/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/17/alcoa-developing-lighter-wheels-for-increased-efficiency/1488920/article-detail.xml 1488920 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/alcoa_250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/alcoa_250.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Michelin Tweel in motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Click on the link to get a glimpse of what might just be in your automotive future.

[Sources: FreshCreation.nl; Michelin]

(Appreciate the tip, Martijn)

 

Video: Michelin Tweel in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alloy wheelAlloyWheelAvonCooper TireCooperTireDunlopFalkenFirestoneGoodyearKumhoMichelintiresTweeltyretyresYokohamaTue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/618676/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/618676/article-detail.xml 618676 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/Tweel-Audi-A6-resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/Tweel-Audi-A6-resized.jpg -1 2